Brandon Mull is the author of the Fablehaven series and the Beyonders trilogy. Below is a complete transcript of his interview with Cracking the Cover.
You’ve called The Beyonders your Narnia-type book. Now that you’re halfway through the series, do you feel like you’ve accomplished that goal?
I think Beyonders starts like Narnia, then finishes like Lord of the Rings. In the beginning, we have characters from our world crossing into a fantasy reality that needs help, which sounds Narnia-esque. But once the story starts rolling, especially in the latter two books, it gets more complicated and epic, with a large cast of characters and events that span various clashing kingdoms. The story becomes grander than one might expect from a Narnia-type narative. I like that Beyonders starts with a pair of characters coming to a strange world in an unlikely way, and ends with them involved in a more complex adventure than the reader would probably anticipate.
You’ve followed up Fablehaven with another best-seller. Are you surprised by the success of the Beyonders?
I’m relieved. I’ve been excited about the story for Beyonders since before I wrote Fablehaven. I’ve been prepping it for years. I like that Beyonders feels quite different than Fablehaven. It has different strengths, but I hoped it might appeal to similar readers. I’m gratified that people seem to enjoy it.
Did you have the whole series mapped out from the beginning?
The Beyonders series has been mapped out for years. I may never again write a story that has been so thoroughly planned ahead of time. This ennable me to create some fun set-ups and pay-offs, moments where the reader will be rewarded for paying attention as some of the early moments in the story have surprising relevance at the end.
What were the challenges of writing the Seeds of Rebellion?
The trickiest thing about Seeds of Rebellion has probably been managing the large cast of characters. I want them to feel relatable and distinct. Jason and Rachel are helped by several broken heroes, men and women who are trying to overcome past failures and find a way to save their homeland. I hope I was able to spend enough time with these supporting characters that the reader could get to know them and find them interesting, but not so much time that it drags the book to a halt.
Were you conscious of the “hump” book trap many authors fall into when writing a trilogy?
Fablehaven, the series I wrote before Beyonders, had five books. I try really hard to have some meaningful goals and obstacles for my characters in every book, so that each book has some important climactic action. I hope that building my books that way helps them all feel like they matter.
Have you finished the final book, Chasing the Prophecy?
Chasing the Prophecy is complete except for some final edits. I feel really happy about how it turned out. I think it represents my best work so far. I’m excited to see how readers react.
You’ve been publishing books on a regular basis for a while now, how has the writing process changed? Do you ever feel worn out?
One of my goals is to forever improve as a writer. There is always a better story to tell, and a better way to tell it. I think I’m getting better at choosing what scenes to portray in my novels, which helps the pacing. I am getting a little tired lately, but if I take more than a few weeks away from writing, I always find myself itching to get back to it. I sincerely enjoy making stories.
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long those lines, how has your writing evolved since you began?
I’m becoming more aware of what I’m doing as a writer. My writing is becoming more deliberate. This can be good, because I’m quicker to recognize and fix weaknesses. It can be bad because sometimes I overthink scenes and forget that some of the best stuff comes from relaxing and trusting my instincts.
What’s the most surprising thing that’s come out of being a published author?
I guess I was most surprised when I got invited to present at a school in Moscow, Russia. I was there for a week, and really enjoyed seeing that culture.
Do you get recognized in public?
I sometimes get recognized in public. My family went to Disneyland and I got stopped a few times. I’ll get stopped when I’m out and about running errands near my home. It is almost always a pleasant experience. My readers tend to be young people and families and like-minded adults. I would guess that most readers don’t know what I look like. I suspect I get recognized more because of book signings and school visits than due to the photo in the back of the book.
What are you reading right now?
I’m reading nothing. Or watching TV. I’m working on a sequel to Candy Shop War and prepping for the launch of Beyonders, which absorbs just about every waking moment. Not too long ago I read Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss. I really liked it.